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Raleigh, N.C. — N.C. State's College of Veterinary Medicine is expanding. The school broke ground Wednesday to make way for the $72 million facility.

The Randall B. Terry, Jr. Companion Animal Center is expected to be more than double the size of the current companion animal hospital. The 115,000-square-foot facility will help accommodate nearly 25,000 cases referred to the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Officials said the current facility is designed to handle 9,000 to 12,000 cases a year, and it has exceeded that amount.

"Last year, we cared for 20,000 animals. We are just on top of each other, just completely out of space," said Dr. Michael Davidson, associate dean and director of veterinary medical services.

"The Randall B. Terry Jr. Companion Animal Veterinary Medical Center is a testament to Mr. Terry's love of animals," said Warwick Arden, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "When completed, this state-of-the-art medical center will serve as a national model and will provide an outstanding environment in which our faculty and students can promote animal health."

The new hospital received a $20 million pledge from the R.B. Terry, Jr. Charitable Foundation – the largest private gift ever given to N.C. State. The General Assembly also appropriated $38 million for the facility. Private funds were expected to pay for the reminder of the project.

"This is a one-of-a-kind facility serves the entire state, and we're very proud of that," said Dr. James Oblinger, N.C. State University chancellor.

The N.C. State College of Veterinary Medicine is already one of the top five veterinary schools in the country. Supporters said the new facility will make the school even more competitive and impact animal and human medicine.

Construction on the new facility should be completed by 2009.

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Gerbil HerderNov 15, 2007

My younger boy had a urinary blockage a couple years ago and they got him through that.

I did not know that the Vet School took boys to operate on.

Frank DowntownNov 15, 2007

Too bad there are not kids or humans that need help or money

djofraleighNov 14, 2007

One more reason for someone to want to live in this area.

fredssmithisnotmysenatorNov 14, 2007

skeet- the vet school is not getting the money your dept. deserves...it's the failed athletics program. Look at the vet school and then take a look at Carter Finley. Carter Finley doesn't save lives, the vet school however does.

madmanNov 14, 2007

Skeet Skeet Skeet, You do know the school doesn't say where to send the money, that money is coming from donors that say where the money is going to be spent. People possibly have had a good experience with this department and feel they deserve the money. I think they deserve it.

whatelseisnew, Didn't know NCSU had a "human doctor" school. If more people knew about it, maybe it would be second to none as well!

grayboomerangNov 14, 2007

Of course three comments and two already negative...gesh.

NCSU Vet school is second to none....they have done miracles for this family...about 5 years ago my old dalmatian had a Dermaxx reaction and went into total renal failure...by miracle NC State was able to pull him out of it and got him back home to us.

My younger boy had a urinary blockage a couple years ago and they got him through that.

They also did a colic surgery on one of my horses and did a terrific job.

It is an awesome department filled with knowledagable and caring veterinarians.....I was always a Tarheel fan till NC Vet School..LOL!

Go Pack. Congratulations! Give us some more of those terrific veterinarians that you guys put out in the field!!!!

whatelseisnewNov 14, 2007

Yeah I wish our Human Doctor schools were second to none.

rtNov 14, 2007

Go Wolfpack!

This will be a great addition to our state's educational system. NCSU's Vet School is second to none.